I remember choosing a Mother's Day card for Grandma Katie a few years back. As I sat down to write in it I thought of the Leitz/Rallo clan and all the incredible men she's mothered and grand-mothered. I've been a part of this family for close to 15 years and I admire every single one of them.
It's no secret that my mama heart always longed for a girl, as I imagine Grandma Katie's might have, but there is something spectacular about raising kind, caring and sensitive boys that turn into good men. I was listening to something on NPR recently about masculinity and our society in the wake of the Parkland shooting. What they were describing as the societal norm and all the problems associated with it were far from the example of what it means to be a man in this family. The Leitz definition is much different, and so much better, than what our culture leads people to believe. As I was driving that day I felt profoundly grateful to be raising my boys in a family that teaches them to stand up for what you believe in, love deeply, work hard, use humor, make your education a priority and to be kind to those around you. I wasn't there when Katie and Fred were bringing up their boys, but it is clear they did something right. And their legacy will live on forever. In Fred, Rob and Steve- Aaron, Andy, Evan, Jeremy, Chris and Ty.
As I understand it, Grandma Katie was an activist and committed to social justice. The last time I saw her was shortly after the women's march and it pained her that her body wasn't capable of participating. I know she was disgusted with the state of the union in her final years and even though her days of marching have come and gone, she's got a tiny army to continue her work. Her Great Grandchildren- Landon, Devin, Owen, Olivia, Austin, Weston, Lily, Hazel, Ian and baby Rallo #3, are just getting ready to roll up their sleeves and continue working on making this world a more beautiful and just place.
In the card I told her that we wouldn't be celebrating Mother's day if not for her. The way that Steve loved and nurtured Ty had a profound effect on who he is and I couldn't have married a better man. In the thick of motherhood, with three kiddos under five, I am reminded that mothering (and fathering) matters. Between the infuriating messes and bedtime routine that feels as if it will never end, we are doing life's most important work. Ty and I are instilling values in our children that will write the next 100 years of a family story.
Now that Grandma Katie has been reunited with Grandpa Fred in heaven, may we remember that none of us would be who we are today without them. May we commit to nurture their legacy of love, generosity and kindness, both in our children and in ourselves.
